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1750 American Ethnicity
The eastern coast was a mix of many different ethnicities, mostly from European countries. There were other groups not represented in this profile of the British run territories, such as the American Indians. -
The Start of the American Revolution
The tensions between American ideals and British rules came to a head in April, 1775 at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. -
First Naturalization Act
Passed by Congress in March 1790, this "provided that any free, white, adult alien, male or female, who had resided within the limits and jurisdiction of the United States for a period of 2 years was eligible for citizenship." Those who sought citizenship pledged an oath to the Constitution and had good moral character. Source: https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/federal/naturalization-process-in-u-s-early-history/ -
Act of 1802
The Act of 1802 required that clerks record the names of all aliens coming into the United States. The act of 1802 was the last major piece of naturalization legislation during the 19th century. A number of minor revisions were introduced, but these merely altered or clarified details of evidence and certification without changing the basic nature of the admission procedure. The most important of these revisions occurred in 1855, when citizenship was granted to alien wives of U.S. citizens. -
1807 Importation of Slaves Ends
Congress votes to ban the importation of slaves. -
1830 Indian Removal Act
Andrew Jackson signed a law that authorized the confiscation of land from Native Americans and provided resources to them as they were forced west of the Mississippi River -
1845 Ireland's Potato Famine
The living conditions of the lower classes of Ireland reached a breaking point in 1845 when the potato crops failed, leading to the death of a million Irish citizens and the immigration of nearly half a million to America, where they hoped they could find financial freedom by working in the factories of the Northeast or forging westward to work on the railroads. In total, it is estimated that nearly 4.5 million immigrants came to America between 1820 and 1930. -
1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty outlined the annexation of a portion of Mexico, and granted citizenship on Mexicans who chose to remain in the territory. -
1848 California Gold Rush
Sutter's Mill became ground zero when gold was found there in 1848. People flocked to California with dreams of becoming wealthy from gold. This sparked the first mass immigration from China. They went on to work on the railroads that connected East to West in poor conditions. -
1857 Dred Scott v. Sanford
The Supreme Court ruled that free African Americans and slaves were not considered to be citizens of the United States, therefore they were denied the rights and privileges of citizenship, like being able to sue in federal courts. -
1862 The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act allowed for any individual, regardless of gender, ethnicity or country of origin, to claim up 160 acres of free land if they lived on it and made certain agricultural improvements for five years. This caused a mass exodus from the East for those who wished to have land of their own. -
1863 Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln signed the executive order that freed the slaves being held in Confederate states. This did not give them citizenship. -
1868 Ratification of the 14th Amendment
Following the Emancipation Proclamation, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former enslaved people—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” -
1870 Ratification of 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment guaranteed all males the right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude. This would be challenged after 1877 with the removal of federal troops from the former Confederacy. This allowed former Confederates to be elected to offices that soon enacted grandfather clauses that hampered voting rights. -
1880 Italian Immigration explodes
In 1880, poor agricultural conditions and political strife in Italy led to the start of nearly 4 million people immigrating to the United States. -
1892 Ellis Island opens
Due to the massive numbers of immigrants coming from Europe, Ellis Island was established as an immigration station, the first stop in their move to America. Some called it the Island Of Hope, as it was their first glimpse of their American dream of new experiences and opportunities. Others called it the Island of Tears, as families could be separated and others were denied entry to the United States. During its use, 12 million immigrants passed through its doors.